Bible Verse for Today

Be not afraid, O land; be glad and rejoice. Surely the LORD has done great things.
— Joel 2:21 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...This reassurance from God is given to a people facing desperate times, which were brought on by God to lead them to repent. Their land lies desolate and decimated from drought, plagues, and poor harvests. God, however, is now promising to bless them if they will return to him with all their hearts. The LORD, the covenant God of Israel, will do great things to...

 

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
— Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We are dead, but more alive than ever before. We are crucified and humiliated, yet glorified as never before. You see, Christ lives in us. He works through us to bless others. So the life we live now in our limited bodies is not limited -- it is the work of...

 

I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.
— Hosea 2:19-20 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...God longed for Israel to be faithful to him. Despite the unfaithfulness in the past, God offered his people forgiveness and hope that they could be restored to relationship with him again. If God was willing to pay such an incredibly high price to do this...

 

The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
— Genesis 2:18 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Two powerful principles are presented here. First, God looks out for us and blesses us with what we need most. Second, God made us for relationship: relationship with him and with a life partner. Yes, Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7 both emphasize that some are gifted to be single, but most of us are made to be complete with another...

 

The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear.
— Isaiah 2:17-18 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Sometimes when we get "too big for our britches," we find ourselves humbled by a natural disaster, world war, incurable disease, economic depression, or widespread social disorder. Our arrogance can be a predictor of our own impending disasters. Is there a general principle of our...

 

"I hate divorce," says the LORD God of Israel, ... "So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith."
— Malachi 2:16 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...In a throw-away world, God wants us to know that he hates it when we throw away people. Let's call each other to God's standard, to God's holiness. Let's not let our spirits be corrupted by selfishness and resentment. Let's not break faith with God by treating those closest to us with contempt. And in a world where people get...

 

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.
— Philippians 2:14-15 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...We shouldn't be surprised that unbelievers around us have a different set of values than we do. After all, a star isn't surprised to find that it shines in the great expanse of darkness surrounding it. You see, a star and a...

 

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
— Habakkuk 2:14 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...What a glorious day when this promise is fully realized! Let's make every effort and commit ourselves to the task of making our glorious God known to every nation, tribe, language, and people.

My Prayer...Almighty God, please lead me to someone who needs to know your salvation. Please bless your servants all around the world as they...

 

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
— Joel 2:13 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...One of the most amazing things about our God is that he is so gracious and compassionate. This is true even when we've "blown it big time." In fact, when we sin, he longs to forgive and cleanse, not condemn and punish. His grace rushes to greet our genuine...

 

"Be appalled at this, O heavens, and shudder with great horror," declares the LORD. "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."
— Jeremiah 2:12-13 (NIV)
Thoughts on Today's Verse...Where do you turn to have the thirst of your soul slaked? I firmly believe that many addictive habits and sins are the result of pursuing things to satisfy this thirst in our soul by some...